Brown History Podcast

North America looks the way it does today because European settlers took land that Indigenous peoples were already living on. They did this through unfair treaties, wars, forced removal, and taking land by force. Historians call this settler colonialism — when newcomers move in, push out the original people, and build a permanent society on their land.And this didn’t end in the past.It still happens today, just in quieter ways.Now, land is taken through laws, court decisions, and big corporations. For example, mining projects, pipelines, dams, and logging often get approved even when Indigenous nations say no. The process looks official, lots of paperwork and legal terms, but the idea is the same: governments still act like they can use Indigenous land without Indigenous permission.Immigrants have a complicated role in this. We didn’t start these systems, we didn’t fight the original wars or create reservations, but we still arrive and build our lives on this land. That means we also benefit from a system built on taking land from Indigenous peoples. And each of us has to choose whether we continue that system or help change it.Today, I’m talking with Nishant Upadhyay, author of Indians on Indian Lands. We discuss how South Asian communities became part of these settler systems, how race and caste shape our relationships with Indigenous peoples, and what it means to live responsibly on lands that were never given up.Get the book here: https://amzn.to/3Y5kDhzVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

This episode could save your life!Across the world, South Asian communities are facing an alarming rise in heart disease, heart attacks, diabetes, and high blood pressure. And it’s not just affecting older people. Young people who are fit, thin, and have no family history are showing no symptoms until it’s too late.But this crisis runs deeper than diet or lifestyle. Our health risks are rooted in the very history our ancestors endured.In today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Mubin Syed (@desidoc.md), author of Healing from Our History: How Colonial-Era Famines Led to a Modern South Asian Health Crisis. Together, we trace how the trauma of the past still shapes our bodies and what we can do now to reclaim our health.Get the book here: https://amzn.to/3LZSR3eVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

If you ask someone what ancient India gave to the world, most people will probably say “yoga.” But for over a thousand years, India was an intellectual, cultural, and spiritual centre of the world. From astronomy and art to literature, language, religion, and philosophy, India was a powerhouse of ideas that traveled far beyond its borders. So why don’t more people today know about this part of India’s history? On today's episode, we sit with the great historian William Dalrymple, author of his new book, The Golden Road, and discuss how ancient India shaped the world as we know it today.Get the book here: https://amzn.to/3Spk3bKVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

When we hear the phrase 'homeland security,' we usually think of the United States. But long before 9/11, Israel was already building a model —one based on occupation, surveillance, and control.After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, India promised it would never be caught off guard again. But instead of rebuilding from within, it became one of Israel’s biggest customers. Not just for weapons, but for surveillance technology, police training, and an entire mindset shaped by Israel’s experience of occupation.In today’s episode, we sit with Rhys Machold, author of Fabricating Homeland Security, and unpack how homeland security became a global brand, how fear became a marketplace, and how Israel became India’s go-to model for policing, surveillance, and counterterrorism.Get the book here: https://amzn.to/449mEhfVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

On today's episode of the Brown History Podcast, we sit with acclaimed Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta. Her work is fearless, powerful, and deeply human. Each of her films tells a different story, in a different way—but what ties them all together is her deep and unwavering love for her people. She captures their history, their joy, and their sorrow with honesty and grace. Her films are bold. They’re visually stunning. And they don’t shy away from the hard truths. This month, the Toronto International Film Festival is honoring Deepa Mehta’s remarkable 30-year career with a special retrospective—screening ten of her film from April 4th to 23rd at the TIFF Lightbox here in Toronto. This episode could not have happened without the support of TIFF, specifically Nandita Dutta from TIFF, a special thanks to them all.Visit our ShopBecome a patronBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768Book Recommendations by Deepa Mehta:* The First Man by Albert Camus* Nowhere, Exactly: On Identity and Belonging by M. G. Vassanji Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

When countries in the Global South gained independence from European colonial rule, they didn’t fully break away from the systems imposed by their former colonizers. While they became independent nations, they continued to follow the same ideas about borders, governance, and state power—ideas shaped by colonial rule. In other words, they removed foreign rulers but didn’t necessarily rethink the structures that defined nations and states.In today’s episode, we sit with Hafsa Kanjwal, author of the book ‘Colonizing Kashmir: State-building Under Indian Occupation.’ and explore how the Indian and Kashmiri governments used development and governance to tighten India’s control over Kashmir after Partition. In her book, she argues that India’s efforts to integrate and develop Kashmir after British rule were fundamentally colonial. She examines how India brought Kashmir under its control without the people's approval, using local leaders who followed India’s interests. Her work argues that India’s actions were not about freedom but instead shows them as part of a larger effort to strengthen the country after World War II.Get the book here: https://amzn.to/4eJg7fnVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768Book Recommendations by Guest:* Resisting Disappearance: Military Occupation and Women's Activism in Kashmir by Ather Zia* Indians on Indian Lands: Intersections of Race, Caste, and Indigeneity by Nishant Upadhyay Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

During colonial rule of India, relations between British men and Indian women became regular practice, and over generations a large and growing 'mixed race' community developed. They would come to be known as Anglo-Indians and have their own distinct identity. Anglo-Indians held a unique position at the crossroads of race, color, and class. They were never fully colonizers nor colonized, but something in-between, at times playing the roles of either, neither, or both. When the British left and India was granted its independence in 1947, Anglo-Indians would face an existential dilemma. In today's episode, we sit with Uther Charlton-Stevens, author of ‘Anglo-India and The End of Empire,’ and re-examine empire and decolonization through the eyes of Anglo-Indians.Get the book here: https://amzn.to/4eJg7fnVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768Book Recommendations by Guest:* An Anglo-Indian Childhood by Shirley Pritchard* Embers: An Anglo-Indian Memoir by Joy Chase* Anglo-Indian Lives in Pakistan by Dorothy McMenamin* Children of Colonialism: Anglo-Indians in a Postcolonial World by Lionel Caplan* Anglo-Indian Identity: Past and Present, in India and the Diaspora by Robyn Andrews (Editor), Merin Simi Raj (Editor) Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Our guest today is the acclaimed actress Kani Kusruti. Kani garnered widespread recognition when she won the Best Actress award at the Kerala State Film Awards in 2020. Her recent film, All We Imagine as Light, won the prestigious Grand Prix at Cannes. This film marks the first Indian entry in competition at Cannes in nearly three decades and is set to make its Canadian debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. Today, we’ll delve into Kani's journey, the making of this groundbreaking film, and what this moment means for Indian cinema.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Kerala was once one of the poorest states in India. However, in the 1970s, the oil boom in the Gulf sparked a surge in demand for labour, which was largely filled by Keralites, thus transforming the fabric of Kerala society forever. When we talk about migrant labor, we often focus on the economic side. But we forget that cities are not just built from stone and bricks. They are also built on dreams, hopes, memories, and longing, passed down from one generation to the next. On today's episode, we sit with Mohamed Shafeeq Karinkurayil, author of 'The Gulf Migrant Archives in Kerala' —the first ever book that studies Gulf migrant archives in Malayalam through photographs, films, and literature. Together we delve into the impact of the Gulf in Kerala society and examine migrant labor beyond just the economic aspects.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3yKwKI4Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Fatima is the acclaimed author of the New York Times Bestseller novel, ‘A Place for Us’, which offers a profound and deeply insightful look into the lives of an Indian-American Muslim family navigating their cultural and personal identities in contemporary America. Her debut work has garnered praise for its richly drawn characters and its ability to capture the intricacies of family dynamics and the immigrant experience. In the latest episode, we sit down with Fatima Farheen Mirza and dive into her creative process, the themes she explores in her work, and her journey as a writer.In addition to her novel, Fatima also shares her thoughts and reflections through her newsletter, where she delves into various aspects of her writing process, personal experiences, and musings on life. You can subscribe at fatimafarheenmirza.substack.com/Get the book: https://amzn.to/4dTweqVVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Millions of Hindus make up Pakistan's largest non Muslim minority, almost all of whom are underprivileged and live in the province of Sindh. They are treated as second-class citizens and are systematically discriminated in every aspect of life. Hindu women in Pakistan face double discrimination, most notably through forced conversions. These conversions often involve abduction, kidnapping, rape, and forceful marriages. However, many people often see forced conversion as the end goal but in fact, cases of forced conversions are rarely motivated by religious zeal and are instead a consequence of the commodification of and denial of agency to women in a deeply rigid patriarchal society. In today's episode, we sit with Dr. Jürgen Schaflechner, author of 'Hinglaj Devi: Identity, Change, and Solidification at a Hindu Temple in Pakistan' and look at the different beliefs and practices of Hindus in today's Islamic Republic of Pakistan while depicting the complexities behind forced conversions as well as highlighting the economic, social, and political realities of many Pakistani-Hindu women.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3y8Qgx7Dr. Jürgen Schaflechner's documentaries: https://www.juergen-schaflechner.com/ethnographicVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

During the 1970s and 80s in Britain, South Asians came together to protest against the violent racism and injustice they were facing from the government and from rising facist groups like the National Front. These South Asians held rallies and marches, protested, and did whatever they had to do to defend and protect themselves. It is the story of how the British Asian community had reached their breaking point and decided to stand up and fight for their right to stay and live in Britain with dignity. In the latest Brown History Podcast episode, as Channel 4 releases their new documentary series – "Defiance: Fighting the Far Right" – a three-part series that examines how Britain’s Asian community was targeted with a campaign of violence and murder between 1976 and 1981, we sit with Suresh Grover, one of UK's leading activists against police brutality, and shed light on this dark chapter in British history. Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

In October, the government of Pakistan announced that it would expel all undocumented foreigners, including 1.7 million Afghans—one of the country’s largest immigrant communities. This includes those who were born in, brought up, married, had children, and then they raised their families, all within in Pakistan. Many of them had fled from the Taliban and are terrified of heading back to the Taliban government. In the past month, we've seen heartbreaking scenes where Afghan students bid farewell to their Pakistani classmates with heartfelt hugs, and at the border, long lines of trucks were laden with the possessions of Afghan families. The United Nations agencies and human rights organizations have widely criticized Pakistan's practice of forcefully returning refugees. This is cruelty on a massive scale. In today's episode we sit with Sanaa Alimia, author of Refugee Cities: How Afghans Changed Urban Pakistan," we delve into a thought-provoking discussion on the intricate dynamics surrounding Afghan refugees in Pakistan. We look at their history, their current situation, and most importantly, we shed light on their humanity.Get the book: https://amzn.to/46wuQWnVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Clichéd terms like 'fusion' and 'East-meets-West' are often thrown around to describe the music of artists from diverse backgrounds. However, these labels can oversimplify, flatten, and pigeonhole their rich and multifaceted musical styles, potentially reducing them to stereotypes. Nevertheless, from time to time, an artist emerges and creates a path for a better understanding of one another in our complex and dynamic world. In the latest episode, we sit down with Sid Sriram, an Indian-American musician, music producer, and songwriter. He is currently one of the most popular playback singers in India and has recently released his English-language studio album, 'Sidharth,' following his viral Tiny Desk concert. While I may not possess the musical vocabulary to describe Sid's latest album, I can confidently say that it is a work of art that boldly rejects conformity and confinement.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

In India, Christians account for about 2% to 3% of the population. However, in the state of Kerala, Christians make up a remarkable 18% to 19% of the total population. And among them, Syrian Christians play a significant role, representing almost half of Kerala's Christian population. Although the Syrian Christians of Kerala are a minority, they are also a caste-, race-, and class-privileged minority that have historically benefited from their privileged position within society. And if the Syrian Christians are the dominant community, then it is also necessary to look at the subordinated communities, as they represent the minority within the minority. Our guest today is Sonja Thomas, author of, 'Privileged Minorities: Syrian Christianity, Gender, and Minority Rights in Postcolonial India' and together we will discuss the Christians of Kerala, specifically the Syrian Christians, and navigate the intricacies of caste, gender, class, race, religion, and language.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OD8MUFVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

The Rohingya are widely recognized as one of the most persecuted and vulnerable communities in the world. They are a people that much of the world keeps forgetting. For centuries, they called Burma/Myanmar their home, but being victims of persecution as a result of ethnic cleansing and genocide, they were forced to flee to neighbouring countries. and now, over a million Rohingyas endure life in cramped refugee camps in Bangladesh. Excluded as illegal migrants by both Myanmar and Bangladesh, they face unimaginable hardships, including unemployment, mental and sexual abuse, and the denial of basic human necessities. We sit with journalist Kaamil Ahmed, author of ‘I Feel No Peace: Rohingya Fleeing Over Seas and Rivers,’ and explore the haunting question: has the world failed the Rohingya?Get the book: https://amzn.to/42M2KFoVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768Photo by Kevin Frayer Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Asha Puthli is a living legend. A musical pioneer, fashion icon, Studio 54 star, feminist, actor, environmentalist, and friends with everyone from Andy Warhol to Mikhail Gorbachev. She is cited by the New York Times as having been an inspiration to Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder. As an actor she's worked with greats that include Merchant Ivory, Louise Malle, and the Italian Director Bruno Corbucci. And she continues to stay as relevant as ever. A remix of her immensely influential 1975 track Space Talk was recently released on the music label @naya.beat and she is about to record her 11th studio album this summer. A Hollywood documentary about her life is also in the works. On today's episode, writer-director-producer @deeptidatt who has been documenting @ashaputhli in her expansive, multimedia, installation project #interstellarIconoclasts, sits down with the legendary artist to conduct a rare and incredibly far-ranging interview exploring Asha's music, life, career and inspirations.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

When we think of Goa, we usually think of beach parties, vacation, or that movie Dil Chahta Hai, but Goa was once the headquarters of the Portuguese empire in the East for 450 years. They were the first colonial powers in the subcontinent and the last ones to leave. The Portuguese brought a different face of Christianity and they used it to impose their rule over Goa. They planned for Goa to be the "Rome" of the East, and that involved violence, torture, and erasure. We sit with Ângela Barreto Xavier, author of 'Religion and Empire in Portuguese India' and discuss the transformation of Goa during the first couple of centuries of Portuguese colonial rule.Get the book: https://amzn.to/43fvGpfVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

In 2006, just after Hurrincan Katrina, hundreds of Indian workers were lured to the United States with false promises of a green card and forced to work under grueling working conditions at a shipyard in Mississippi. It would become one of the largest human trafficking schemes in U.S. history. When one of those workers called labor organizer Saket Soni for help, it set off an epic chain of events that led him to engineering their escape from the work camp and set them off on a path to citizenship. We sit with Saket Soni, author of 'The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams in America' as he recounts their heroic journey for justice. Get the book: https://amzn.to/42Svz2BVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, known for his roles in films like Satya, Gangs of Wasseypur, Aligarh, and the most recent, Gulmohar, as well as leading the running hit series, The Family Man.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra, creator of the hit Netflix series 'Indian Matchmaking' and the four part docu-series 'The Romantics.'Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with 6 time Emmy-nominated film and television composer, Siddhartha Khosla, lead singer of critically acclaimed band, Goldspot, and the man behind musical scores of hit shows like This Is Us and Only Murders in the Building, and his most recent film, Gulmohar. Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

In 1948, when Israel declared itself as an independent state, it quickly sought for international recognition from other countries, including from a newly independent India. Nehru, who was Prime Minister then, was hesitant. Even Albert Einstein personally wrote to Nehru, requesting India’s support but Nehru declined. Instead, India allied itself with the Palestinians, and when 33 nations at the United Nation voted in favour of an Israel, India was one of the 13 countries that voted against. However, today, India has become Israel's biggest and most dependable purchaser of weapons. What happened? We sit with Azad Essa, author of 'Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance Between India and Israel,' and discuss the history of the relationship between India and Israel.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3ByxIVsVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Did you know that a survey done in 2016 on caste in America revealed that one in three Dalits in the United States reported being discriminated against during their education? Did you know that same survey revealed that one out of four Dalits in America said they had faced verbal or physical assault based on their caste? Did you know that it also revealed that that two out of three Dalits in America reported being treated unfairly at their workplace because of their caste? We sit with Dalit American rights activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan, author of 'The Trauma of Caste,' and discuss caste in America.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3BY4Lm3Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, who works across both film and television, and has firmly established himself as one of the world’s most popular and celebrated documentarians. His documentaries include Senna, Diego Maradona, and Amy which won Best Music Film at the Grammy Awards and Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Take the average child born in South India and the average child born in North India; one will live a healthier, wealthier, more secure life than the other, all because of which side of the country they happened to be born and raised in. We sit with data scientist Nilakantan RS, author of 'SOUTH vs NORTH : India’s Great Divide' and discuss why there is such a large imbalance between the South of India and the North of India. By using hard data, we examine how and why states on one side of India are outperforming the rest of the country and what the consequences of that could mean for everyone in an increasingly centralized India. Get the book: https://amzn.to/3MndFOXVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Jessica Hinchy, author of 'Governing Gender and Sexuality in Colonial India', and discuss the Hijra community during colonial rule. When the British ruled the subcontinent, one of their preferred methods of control was classification; they grouped and categorized people, reducing them inside their boxes. However, the British were not able to define the Hijra community into a category and that caused the British see them as threat. So what solution did the British come up with? They decided to exterminate the Hijra community through laws and policing.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3WhMVDQBook mentioned on the episode: https://amzn.to/3ohbfJCVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with British vocalist Sheila Chandra who first created waves in 1982 when she and her band, 'Monsoon,' reached number 12 in the UK charts with their single "Ever So Lonely." She was only around 16 years old at the time. The band split up and Chandra embarked on a solo career and released several albums. In 2002, she was featured in the movie soundtrack for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,' in the song, 'Breath of Life,' where she sings completely in Elvish. Sadly in 2010, she developed a rare chronic condition called Burning Mouth Syndrome which made it extremely difficult for her to even speak. Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Thomas Manuel, author of ‘Opium Inc.: How a Global Drug Trade Funded the British Empire,’ and discuss the historic opium trade which unleased two wars, and ultimately shaped human history. Get the book: https://amzn.to/45AKtfXVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with award-winning Canadian documentary filmmaker Nisha Pahuja whose works include Diamond Road, The World Before Her, and her latest, To Kill A Tiger.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with filmmaker Vinay Shukla, director of the award-winning documentary 'An Insignificant Man', and his latest, 'While We Watched.' Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with filmmaker, actor, and social advocate Nandita Das and discuss her life, works, and her latest directorial film, 'Zwigato'.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, we sit with Adeel Hussain, author of ‘Revenge, Politics and Blasphemy in Pakistan', and take a deep dive into the history of Blasphemy in South Asia, specifically Pakistan. We trace the history of blasphemy from colonial India to present times and look at how big of a role blasphemy has played, and still plays, in politics, society, and within the legal frameworks.Get the book: https://amzn.to/429v8QHVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Aanchal Malhotra, author of 'In the Language of Remembering: The Inheritance of Partition,' and discuss how Partition is preserved and passed down through generations, and how the ramifications of Partition still spread and manifest within families, communities, and nations.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OD8MUFVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with award-winning film critic Meenakshi Sheedi and discuss the life and works of legendary film director Satyajit Ray.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with writer Dur E Aziz Amna, author of her debut novel, 'American Fever,' and discuss her writing, her cross-cultural experiences and much more.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3RFANwcVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Aisha Khan, author of 'The Deepest Dye: Obeah, Hosay, and Race in the Atlantic World,' and discuss the religious practises of Obeah and Hosay in the Caribbean and dive into the concepts of identity and race.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3F0ISEaVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with world-renowned filmmaker Mira Nair. Her films include Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, Mississippi Masala, and Salaam Bombay for which she was nominated for an Oscar.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with 'The Big Bang Theory' star Kunal Nayyar.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

Ghost stories can reveal the fringes of our resentments and anxieties, the essence of our collective fears and hopes, and the things societies keeps repressed. On this episode, we sit with Azania Imtiaz Khatri-Patel and analzye the ghost stories from South Asia. Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with WWE former champion Jinder Mahal and discuss his wrestling journey as well as his recent acting debut on the TV series Big Sky.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Aanchal Malhotra, author of 'Remnants of Partition: 21 Objects from a Continent Divided,' and discuss the Partition of 1947.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3EXVADFVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Bangladeshi-American music producer Sajeeb Saha, known by his stage name, Jai Wolf.Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Pasha M. Khan, author of "The Broken Spell: Indian Storytelling and the Romance Genre in Persian and Urdu," and discuss traditional storytelling in South Asia.Get the book: https://amzn.to/3pdS7tiVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Anupama Rao, editor of "Memoirs of a Dalit Communist: The Many Worlds of R.B. More" and discuss the life and struggles of R.B. More, who was a leader in the Dalit movement, a trade unionist and a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).Get the book: https://amzn.to/3LC8qtxVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Stuart Schaar, author of "Eqbal Ahmad: Critical Outsider in a Turbulent Age," and discuss the life and works of Eqbal Ahmad. Get the book: https://amzn.to/3rHLDapVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with Zirrar, author of "Ghazi and the Garden" and discuss the life and works of poet and philosopher Muhammad Iqbal.Get the book: https://zirrar.com/book/iqbal/Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with actor Kal Penn, known for his roles in the 'Harold and Kumar' movies and 'The Namesake' and for his work as a White House staff member during the Barack Obama administration.  Get the book: https://amzn.to/3PWzvvGVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with award-winning Sri Lankan Tamil novelist Anuk Arudpragasam, who was shortlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize for his second novel, A Passage North.Get the book: https://amzn.to/46dUaRsVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe

We sit with British science journalist Angela Saini, author of 'Superior: The Return of Race Science’ and discuss the disturbing past and present of racism in science.Get the book: https://amzn.to/48ADogTVisit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistoryBooks covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768 Get full access to Brown History at brownhistory.substack.com/subscribe